A qualitative study exploring the effect of communicating with partially intelligible speech

Few studies have investigated how individuals with partially intelligible speech choose to communicate, including how, when, and why they might use a speech-generating device (SGD). This study aimed to add to the literature by exploring how this group of individuals use different communication strategies. Qualitative interviews were carried out with 10 participants with partially intelligible speech with the aim of investigating participants’ perceptions of modes of communication and communication strategies. Transcripts were analyzed using Framework Analysis to investigate the role of SGDs alongside other communication strategies. Factors that influence why, when, and how a person chooses to communicate were identified and these were interpreted as an explanatory model of communication with partially intelligible speech. Participants described how they made the decision whether to attempt to communicate at all and then which communication method to use. Decision-making was influenced by the importance of the message, how much time is available, past experience, and the communication partner. Each communication attempt adds to an individuals’ experience of communicating and influences subsequent decisions. This study suggests that individuals with partially intelligible speech are at risk of reduced communication environments and networks and that current SGDs may not be designed in a way that recognizes their particular needs.

目前鲜有研究探讨言语清晰度欠佳人群的沟通选择逻辑，包括其会在何种情境下、出于何种缘由、以何种方式使用言语生成设备（Speech-Generating Device，SGD）。本研究旨在通过探索该群体对各类沟通策略的使用实践，丰富相关学术文献。研究招募10名言语清晰度欠佳的参与者开展质性访谈，以探究参与者对沟通模式与沟通策略的认知体验。研究采用框架分析法（Framework Analysis）对访谈转录文本进行编码分析，以厘清言语生成设备与其他沟通策略各自的作用机制。研究明确了影响个体抉择沟通时机、方式与动因的各类因素，并据此构建了针对言语清晰度欠佳人群的沟通解释模型。参与者详细阐述了自身如何决定是否尝试发起沟通，以及后续如何选定适配沟通方法的完整决策过程。沟通决策受信息重要性、可用时长、过往沟通经验以及沟通对象等多重因素共同影响。每一次沟通尝试都会积累个体的沟通实践经验，并对后续的沟通决策产生导向作用。本研究表明，言语清晰度欠佳人群面临沟通环境收窄与社交网络受限的风险，且当前的言语生成设备或许并未贴合其个性化需求开展设计。